Varicose Veins Specialist

Elite Veins NY

Bradley Radwaner, MD, FACC

Vein Specialist located in New York, NY

Varicose veins aren't just ugly. They can be a sign of a serious underlying medical condition, called venous insufficiency. Venous insufficiency can cause pain, burning, heaviness, or swelling in your legs that interferes with your daily life. As a leading preventive cardiologist in New York City, Dr. Bradley Radwaner offers state-of-the-art treatment options for patients with venous insufficiency or varicose veins at Elite Veins NY. Treatments that Dr. Radwaner offers include several minimally-invasive options done in his office with no prolonged downtime. Call the office or use our online system to schedule a vein evaluation today.

Varicose Veins Q & A

What causes varicose veins?

Your circulatory system is composed of two major types of blood vessels: arteries and veins. The arteries carry oxygen-rich blood away from your lungs and heart while your veins carry the blood back to your heart. Most of us understand how the heart beats to pump the blood throughout the body. But the heart also gets some help from contractions inside the arteries and tiny valves inside the veins. These valves open and close in rapid succession to keep blood moving in the right direction. Sometimes, though, the valves can become damaged and weak, allowing blood to “slow down” and collect inside your veins. As the blood collects, it exerts pressure on the vessel walls, causing them to weaken and bulge. These are varicose veins, and without treatment, they can impair circulation to areas of your body.

Anyone can develop varicose veins, but they’re more common in people who are older and those who are overweight. They also tend to occur more frequently in women and during pregnancy. Varicose veins can also develop in people who tend to be sedentary, and if you have a family history of varicose veins, you’re also more likely to have them yourself.

What kinds of symptoms are caused by varicose veins?

The most easily recognizable sign or symptom of varicose veins is their twisted, bluish appearance. But they can also cause other symptoms, including:

Pain or aching

Feelings of heaviness in your legs

Fatigue

Itching or burning sensations

Cramping

Skin changes, including skin that’s thin and more prone to sores, especially when rubbed or scratched

How are varicose veins treated?

Treatments for your varicose veins vary depending factors like their size and location. Very small spider veins can be treated with injections of special solutions to close the veins (a treatment called sclerotherapy). Larger veins usually can be treated with minimally-invasive, in-office procedures like radiofrequency ablation or endovenous laser ablation. Your treatment will be based on your unique needs.

Is it OK to ignore varicose veins if they are not causing me any major problems?

No. If you have a varicose vein, it’s a sign your circulation is impaired in that area of your body. Since your tissues require good circulation to stay healthy, you should have any varicose vein evaluated to prevent more serious health issues. Plus some varicose veins can be a sign of serious underlying circulation issues. Having a vein evaluation is an important way of determining if you have an underlying health problem that needs to be treated.

Insurance Policy:

Elite Veins NY is a concierge practice without a concierge fee. Before your appointment, please provide the office with your insurance policy number and group number in order for us to check your out-of-network coverage. Participates in Medicare only.